At that point I wanted to bang my forehead against the mirrored wall and ask “does everything cost some ridiculous amount of money these days?” Glasses should cost no more than $150. My health insurance program should give me at least some kind of discount on my eye exam and my new frames.

A few hours before my dentist appointment yesterday, the office left me a voicemail warning me that the insurance I used last time I visited (err, 18 months ago) was no longer active. Of course I knew this, and was somewhat devastated by the reminder, but I also appreciated them calling to let me know. Did I call them back to ask how much the cleaning would cost without insurance? No, because I did not want to hear it.

St. Vincent’s ends up with the uninsured patients that a nearby hospital is legally required to stabilize but not treat. Many of these patients fall into the Medicaid coverage gap, a gap that is a million Texans strong and won’t be closing with the Affordable Care Act.